Work on the new music and hymns began in the middle of 2015 and was completed in August 2016.

According to Tom Conroy, “St Michael’s Church is a towering presence
on Patrick Street in Portarlington and continues to be an inspirational
place of prayer and worship for anyone who enters.”

Portarlington’s population has increased substantially over the last
decade and according to the composer, “Many new faces have been warmly
embraced by the community and by the church.”

This is the second Mass setting that Tom Conroy has composed.

‘The Brittas Mass’ was created in Clonaslee, Co Laois from 2011-2013
and was broadcast live on RTE One TV in July, 2013 as part of a special
mass in honour of the bicentenary of St Manman’s Church in Clonaslee.

This new Mass setting is scheduled for live broadcast on RTE One TV and RTE Radio 1 Extra on 30 October.

Fr Pat Hughes will lead the worship and St Michael’s Folk Choir will
feature singers from Portarlington, as well as from Clonaslee and the
surrounding areas in Co Laois and Co Offaly.

After over a year’s work, Tom also recently released his second full
studio album of his own original songs called ‘Make A Wish’, which
features the popular ‘Diana’s Royal Child’ as well as nine other songs.